THE NATA SANCTUARY TRUST3

THE NATA SANCTUARY TRUSTBackgroundThe Nata Sanctuary Trust is comprised of community members living in the vicinityof the northern part of Sua Pan where the Nata River enters the pan. In 1988, the NataConservation Committee recognised the need for a protected area in the Nata districtwith its ecologically delicate and ornithologically valuable grasslands, pan surfacesand the Nata River Delta. The result is a community-based project, the managementof which falls under a board of Trustees, with representatives from the foursurrounding communities of Nata, Maposa, Mmanxotae and Sepako. Surplus revenueis used for capital development within these villages and for the further education oftheir inhabitants in matters of conservation and eco-tourism. Further funding has beenobtained from the Swedish Biodiversity Foundation.

The Nata River Delta in the northern part of Sua Pan – prime waterbird habitat(Photos: R Randall and P Hancock)The Nata Sanctuary is part of the Makgadikgadi Pans Important Bird Area (IBA), andas such is one of Botswana’s premier birding destinations. After good rains, hundredsof thousands of globally threatened Lesser Flamingos, along with Greater Flamingos,Chestnut-banded Plovers, Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans, and a host of otherwaterbirds converge on the nutrient-rich waters of the pans. As the pan dries out, theSanctuary hosts the largest congregation of Lesser Flamingos in Southern Africa – aflamboyant spectacle and a must for any bird enthusiast.At times, over 100,000 Lesser Flamingos may be seen in the Sanctuary (Photo: GMcCulloch)

How to get to the SanctuaryThe Nata Sanctuary is situated 170km northwest of Francistown, on the northeasterntip of the great Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. It covers approximately 230 squarekilometres, 45% of which is pan surface area. The Makgadikgadi was once the site ofthe largest inland lake in southern Africa, which dried up between 10,000 and 20,000years ago. Today remnants of this great lake exist in the form of two large salt pans,Ntwetwe Pan in the west and Sua Pan in the east, that flood only temporarily in thewet season.Facilities and activities for birdersCampingThe Nata Sanctuary provides affordable camping in the Mophane woodland near theentrance of the park. Enjoy a private campsite complete with braai place and table.Ablutions consist of hot showers and flush toilets. Luxury tents are under constructionat present. Birdwatching Nata Sanctuary is a birdwatchers’ paradise but varies greatly throughout the year. In order to see the birds at their best, it is advisable to enquire from staff about conditions within the Sanctuary. Comprehensive checklists of birds found in the Sanctuary and the whole Makgadikgadi IBA can be obtained off the BirdLife Botswana website. Please click here for the list.Please enter your bird list in Botswana Tickbird, a web-based bird monitoring systematwww.worldbirds.org/Botswana and in this way contribute to the globalunderstanding and conservation of birds.Viewing platform/hideA viewing platform/hide provides panoramic views of the pan and sunsets